UNWTO Predicts International Tourism on Track to Hit One
Billion
by End of 2012

International
Tourists Worldwide Grew by 5% in
First Half of 2012 with Asia Leading Growth

September
14, 2012 - Despite concerns over the global economy,
international tourism demand continues to show resilience. The number
of
international tourists worldwide grew by 5% between January and June
2012
compared to the same period of 2011 (22 million more). Although a
slight
slowdown in growth can be expected for the rest of the year,
international
arrivals are forecast to exceed one billion by the end of 2012.

“Amid the current economic uncertainty, tourism
is one of the few economic sectors in the world growing strongly,
driving
economic progress in developing and developed countries alike and, most
importantly, creating much needed jobs,” said UNWTO Secretary-General,
Taleb
Rifai, opening the Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macao.

“As we lead up to the milestone of one billion,
we need to ensure that the tourism sector is supported by adequate
national
policies and that we work to reduce existing barriers to the expansion
of the
sector, such as complicated visa procedures, increased direct taxation
or
limited connectivity,” he added.

Asia leads growth

International arrivals were up in all regions
between January and June 2012.

Asia and the Pacific
(+8%) led growth
by region, boosted by the recovery of Japanese inbound and outbound
tourism as
well as by the continued strong performance of other major source
markets
throughout the region. Destinations in South Asia and South-East Asia
(both
+9%) showed some of the best results worldwide. “Although Asia was
affected by
the economic crisis of 2008-2009 due to its strong linkages with other
economies, the region has bounced back quickly and is today a leader in
the
global economy. This is clearly reflected in its tourism figures,” said
Mr.
Rifai.

Europe (+4%), the most
visited
destination in the world, consolidated its record growth of 2011,
despite
continuing economic volatility in the Eurozone. Results were above the
regional
average in Central and Eastern Europe (+7%) where many destinations saw
double-digit growth, as well as in Western Europe (+5%). By contrast,
demand in
Southern and Mediterranean Europe (+1%) slowed down, but on top of a
very
strong 2011, and partly due to the recovery of destinations in North
Africa and
the Middle East.

The Americas (+5%) grew in
line
with the world average, with Central America (+7%) and South America
(+6%)
recording the strongest results. In fact, South America has been one of
the
sub-regions with the fastest tourism growth of recent years.
Destinations in
North America grew at 4%, a relatively high rate for a mature
sub-region, while
growth in the Caribbean (+5%) remained buoyant, consolidating 2011
results.

In Africa (+7%), the return of
tourist flows to Tunisia is reflected in the results of North Africa
(+11%).
Likewise, the rebound of Egypt is clearly mirrored in the results of
the Middle-East
(+0.7%). Destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa (+6%) continued to show
strong
results, following the good growth rates of this sub-region in previous
years.

Healthy demand from both
emerging and
advanced economy source markets
In terms of outbound markets, and among the top
ten countries by expenditure on travel abroad, growth was significant
in China
(+30%), the Russian Federation (+15%), USA (+9%), Germany (+6%) and
Canada
(+6%) . In Japan, an 8% increase in spending on overseas tourism
confirms the
recovery of this important market. On the other hand, growth was
comparatively slow
or negative in the UK, Australia, Italy and France.

In 2011, international tourist arrivals reached
990 million (revised data). With an expected growth of 3% to 4% in
2012, this
figure is forecast to reach one billion for the first time by December
2012. In
2011, receipts from international tourism, including international
passenger
transport, (exports from tourism) totalled US$ 1.2 trillion or close to
6% of
the world’s exports of goods and services. For more information on
tourism in
2011 see UNWTO Tourism Highlights.

The
UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is a regular
publication of UNWTO aimed at monitoring the short-term evolution of
tourism
and providing the sector with relevant and timely information.

The World Tourism Organization
(UNWTO: www.UNWTO.org),
a United Nations specialized agency, is the leading international
organization
with the decisive and central role in promoting the development of
responsible,
sustainable and universally accessible tourism. It serves as a global
forum for
tourism policy issues and a practical source of tourism know-how. Its
membership includes 155 countries, 7 territories, 2 permanent observers
and over
400 Affiliate Members. Follow us on twitter, vimeo and flickr